Tadej Pogacar's bold attacks key to becoming 'greatest ever' - Adam Blythe hits back at 'ridiculous' criticism

Published 07/05/2024 at 13:26 GMT

Is Tadej Pogacar blowing too much energy in his bid to entertain at the Giro d'Italia? "Let's not be ridiculous," says Eurosport expert Adam Blythe, who delighted in the Slovenian's latest unexpected move on Stage 3. Pogacar, who is bidding for the first Giro-Tour de France double since Marco Pantani in 1998, made a cheeky move off the front on Monday's sprint stage, ultimately won by Tim Merlier.

'Let's not be ridiculous' - Blythe defends Pogacar for ambitious attacks

Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) needs to keep launching bold attacks if he wants to go down as the greatest rider in history, insists Eurosport expert Adam Blythe.

The Slovenian is no stranger to ambitious moves, his latest coming on Monday at the Giro d'Italia on a day earmarked for the sprinters.

Pogacar popped up at the front going into the final kilometre on Stage 3, breaking clear with Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers). Although they were eventually reeled in by the bunch with 250m to go, it made for a breathless end to the day's action.

Giro d'Italia

'A little too crazy' - Pogacar rules out competing in Vuelta

4 hours ago

But with the 25-year-old already in the leader's pink jersey and shooting for a rare Giro-Tour de France double, his late efforts sparked debate around whether he was expending needless energy.

Asked by The Breakaway host Orla Chennaoui whether this type of racing was advisable ahead of Tuesday's Stage 4, Blythe cried: "Yes! Stop saying it shouldn't be advisable! Let's stop discussing this like it's a bad thing. I think it's great!"

He continued: "We have to remember with that stage yesterday that they did two hours at speeds me and Dan [Lloyd] would have kept up with quite easily.

"They spent two hours just cruising along...and then they made a three-minute effort and we're looking at it like it might ruin their chances at the Tour de France. Let's not be ridiculous.

"It's two and a half, three minutes. That isn't going to ruin them at the Tour de France. If he [Pogacar] does that every day, yes, but he won't do."

'He can't help himself' - Lloyd on Pogacar's Stage 3 attack

For his part, Pogacar insisted he did not attack and simply followed - even if he did end up at the front.

"He loves winning on his bike, regardless of money, he just absolutely loves winning," added Blythe.

"He wants to be the greatest ever. That's like putting his stamp on it: bunch sprint day, attacking near the final, winning a sprint that should have been a bunch sprint.

"Why not go for it? If he wants that status he needs to do those kind of rides."

- - -

Stream the cycling season, including the Giro d'Italia, live on discovery+

Giro d'Italia